MINUTES OF THE 11TH MEETING OF THE PROJECT APPROVAL BOARD (PAB) OF RUSA HELD ON 06th FEBRUARY, 2017 The 11th meeting of the RUSA PAB was held on 06th February, 2017 at 15.00 hrs in Maple Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, under the Chairmanship of Sh. Vinay Sheel Oberoi, Secretary (HE), MHRD. The list of participants is attached in Annexure II. The Joint Secretary, MHRD & National Mission Director (NMD), RUSA welcomed the members of the PAB and the participating states. In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the PAB and Secretary (HE) stated that RUSA has began to make a pan India impact, especially with regard to issues of access, equity and quality. He outlined several national initiatives and measures which were being undertaken at the national level and urged the States to make use of these initiatives. He emphasised on the Government’s commitment to strengthen Teacher Training in higher education through induction training programs for newly recruited teachers. He laid emphasis on the need to modify, shape, rectify the existing curriculum and pedagogy. He also referred to the new initiatives viz. National Academic Depository (NAD) and the National Testing Service (NTS) which was recently announced by the Finance Minister in his budget speech. The Chair highlighted the need to lessen the pressure and burden of the students alluded to the problem of mark inflation. He further emphasized the need to take advantage of technology enabled platforms like MOOCs, INFLIBNET, SWAYAM and use of Mobile Technology for enhancement of knowledge. He also pointed to the recent UGC regulation which provides for 20% credit for online courses. He reiterated the need for providing autonomy to universities and the need for them to use their independence with proper accountability mechanisms. The Chair also stated that while going forward, Page 1 of 28 States need to create DTH facilities for teachers to prepare lectures in local languages especially in remote areas. He further urged the States to explore possibilities of set-top box equipped in classrooms to enable teachers and students to access the study and training material on DTH platforms. The Secretary (HE) also stated that the newly launched TEQIP III program provides support for technical educational institutions in 8 north-eastern states and low income group states. He reiterated that there has been a lot of innovation coming from RUSA and that RUSA is more than just a scheme. The program has resulted in strengthening of higher education in states and has changed the face of education in the nation. He concluded his observations by requesting States and Institutions to look at new forms of fee structures to support institutional financing and once again pointed to the need for curriculum reforms which must reflect the advances in knowledge creation and employability. He urged the States to recruit adequate good faculty which would pave a pathway for good quality in higher education. With the permission of the Chair, the agenda items were taken up. AGENDA ITEM 1 PAB Decision: Confirmed the minutes of the 10th meeting of PAB held on 2nd Feb 2016. Page 2 of 28 AGENDA ITEM 2 APPRAISAL OF THE PROPOSALS RECEIVED FROM THE STATES CHANDIGARH (UT) Component 3-Infrastructure Grants to Universities: Proposal: The UT has proposed for infrastructure grants to Punjab University. An amount of Rs 20 crores was proposed by the UT under infrastructure grants to universities. PAB Decision: Since the University is already receiving funds from MHRD, the PAB did not approve Punjab University for funding under infrastructure grants. Moreover, it was stated that the University is an inter-state body corporate and as such, is not eligible for RUSA grants. Component 5 - Upgradation to MDC: Proposal: The UT has proposed upgradation of 4 existing Government degree colleges to MDCs for an amount of Rs. 16 crore. PAB Decision: PAB did not approve the proposed colleges for upgradation since the target for the same has already been achieved. Component 7-Infrastructure Grants to Colleges: Proposal: The UT has submitted proposals for 16 colleges under infrastructure grants to colleges for an amount of Rs. 31.29 crore. The infrastructure grants proposed are to be utilized by the participating colleges for strengthening existing infrastructure or creation of new laboratories, to acquire and develop Page 3 of 28 learning resources, purchase of furniture and fixture to acquire and built ICT resources, modernization of libraries, strengthening of supporting departments and carrying out civil works such as new class rooms, computer centres /labs etc. Out of 16 colleges, 11 colleges are valid NAAC accredited, with 7 having Grade A & 4 having Grade B. 4 colleges have submitted LoI to NAAC and peer team visit is under way. 1 college is not accredited. PAB decision: PAB accorded approval for the total amount of Rs 20 cr for 10 Colleges (7 with Grade A, 3 with Grade B++ The list of colleges approved for infrastructure grants is appended in the table given below. Component 9- Equity Initiatives: Proposal: Under equity initiatives, the UT proposed for an amount of Rs. 3.98 crore for 16 colleges and 1 university. PAB Decision: Since the proposal lacked sufficient details and information, the PAB did not approve the same. Component 12: Vocationalization of Higher Education Proposal: The UT of Chandigarh has proposed for Certificate /Diploma/Advance Diploma courses in the areas such as Retail management, Stock market, Food processing, Financial Services, IT, Journalism, Heritage craft in 9 colleges for an amount of Rs 4.515 cr. Although the proposals provided the details with respect to the courses to be offered which are NSQF compliant, it did not contain complete information. PAB Decision: PAB asked the UT to come back with a comprehensive proposal. Page 4 of 28 Other proposals: Proposals: In addition to above, the UT had also proposed for the UT as a unit) an amount of Rs 6.23cr for Institutional restructuring & reforms; Capacity building & preparation, data collection & planning; MIS (Management Information System) MMER (Management Monitoring, Evaluation and Research) PAB Decision: As these components are being supported under Preparatory grants and MMER, PAB did not accord approval for the same The PAB noted that the decision should not be publicised as directed by the Election Commission of India and that the decision will come to effect only after the Model Code of Conduct comes to an end. Funding Abstract of Chandigarh (UT) PAB approved a total of Rs 20 crores under Component no. 7 namely infrastructural grants to colleges for 10 colleges. S. Component Physic Funds Recommended No. al no. Tot Central State Condition al Share Share 1 Component 7: 10 20 20 NA 10 Colleges with Infrastructure live accreditation grant to colleges of B++ or above. Total 20 20 0 Page 5 of 28 List of colleges recommended under Infrastructure Grants to Colleges S.No Name of the College NAAC Grade Accreditati Amount on valid up approved to 1 Post Graduate Government A 14/11/202 2 cr college for Girls, Sector -42 0 2 PG Government College for A 18/02/202 2 cr Girls Sector -11 1 3 Post Graduate Govt College A 14/11/202 2 cr Sector -46 0 4 Government Home Science A 17/11/202 2 cr College Sector 10 1 5 MCM DAV College Sector -36 A 2/12/2021 2 cr 6 Dev Samaj College for Women A 30/04/202 2 cr Sector -45B 0 7 DAV College Sector -10 A 18/02/202 2 cr 1 8 Regional Institute of English, B++ 24/05/202 2 cr Sector -32C 1 9 Sri Guru Gobind Singh College B++ 16/03/202 2 cr Sector 26 1 10 G G S College for women B++ 20/02/201 2 cr Sector 26 9 Total 20 cr Page 6 of 28 Kerala: Component 3: Infrastructure grants to Universities Proposal: The State has submitted a proposal for an amount of Rs.40 cr under infrastructure grants to 2 Universities (@Rs 20 cr each) for creation of new facilities such as hostels , toilets, laboratories; Renovation / upgradation of existing faculties such as academic building administrative building and for purchase of new equipment’s such as computers e resources etc. PAB decision: PAB accorded approval to both the Universities having valid NAAC accreditation. An amount of Rs 40 cr was approved for Cochin University of Science and Technology and Kannur University (@Rs. 20 cr each). Component 7: Infrastructure grants to colleges Proposal: The State has submitted a proposal for an amount of Rs. 18 cr under infrastructure grants to 9 colleges (@Rs 2 cr each) for creation of new facilities such as hostels, toilets, laboratories; Renovation / upgradation of existing faculties such as academic building administrative building and for purchase of new equipment’s such as computers e-resources etc. PAB Decision: PAB approved infrastructure grants to 2 colleges with Grade A & B++ NAAC accreditation for a total amount of Rs 4 cr(@Rs. 2 cr each). Page 7 of 28 Funding Abstract of Kerala PAB approved a total of Rs 44 crores under 2 components namely infrastructural grants to Universities (for 2 universities) and infrastructural grants to colleges (for the 2 colleges) PAB approved only A & B++ and above graded Colleges for infrastructure grants to colleges (Rs in Cr.) S. Component Physical Funds recommended No. units Total Central State Conditio Share Share n for (60%) (40%) release 1 Component 3: 2 40 24 16 None Infrastructure grants to Universities 2 Component7: 2 4 2.4 1.6 None Infrastructure grant to colleges Total 44 26.4 17.6 None Page 8 of 28 List of Institutions recommended under Infrastructure grants to Universities (Rs in Cr) S.No Name of the University NAAC Status Amount 1.